The Graduate Certificate in Health Administration provides a broad understanding of the U.S. health care system for those aspiring to healthcare leadership positions, to those newly in a healthcare leadership position, and to those considering applying to the MHSA program. The certificate is accessible to distance learners and can be earned completely remotely.

The Graduate Certificate in Health Administration provides an introduction to the field of health administration. Students will obtain a basic understanding of the U.S. healthcare system and how it operates. This certificate is designed for those aspiring to leadership positions in healthcare, to those newly in healthcare leadership positions, and to those considering a Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) degree (Master of Health Services Administration, KU School of Medicine Department of Population Health (kumc.edu)).   If a student is subsequently admitted to the MHSA program, credits from a completed certificate may upon approval be used towards fulfillment of MHSA degree requirements. All certificate classes are accessible to distance learners. 

The certificate will be comprised of four courses taken in the following order:

Summer HPM 810: The Healthcare System (3 credits, online) 
The structure and function of the components of the U.S. healthcare system are introduced in the context of the history, values and social forces that influenced its development and evolution. Students gain exposure to the concepts and vocabulary associated with aspects of the system, including delivery (providers, institutions, services), resources (finance, payment, insurance), population and public health, and outcomes (cost, access, quality). Healthcare outcomes from consumer, clinical and societal perspectives are explored.

Fall HPM 825: Financial Concepts in Healthcare Management (3 credits, hybrid) 
Introduces the financial and managerial accounting concepts used in health care. This includes financial statement analysis; cost accounting; budgeting; and capital project analysis.

Fall HPM 858: Health and Social Behavior (3 credits, hybrid) 
Health care as a cultural and socio-behavioral system is presented. Using research and theory, students explore alternative perspectives on the nature of medicine and healing within comparative health systems, both U.S. and abroad. Students examine at an advanced level how healthcare organizational structures contribute to patient health outcomes and influence employee behaviors. The course reinforces the nature and characteristics of the health professions, particularly medicine and nursing perceptions, and the complex behavioral dynamics of health professionals with organizational leaders.

Spring HP&M 822: Healthcare Economics (3 credits, online) 
This course introduces the core concepts from economics to healthcare with a focus on helping health care managers use economic tools in making sound decisions. The demand for health care products, the structure of insurance, and the supply of health care products are examined. Students will apply a variety of economic analyses to health policy and health system issues.

CURRICULUM:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
HP&M 810	The Health Care System	3
HP&M 825	Financial Concepts in Healthcare Management	3
HP&M 858	Organizational Behavior in Healthcare	3
HP&M 822	Health Care Economics	3

Year 1
Summer	Hours	Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
HP&M 810	3	HP&M 825	3	HP&M 822	3
		HP&M 858	3
	3		6		3
Total Hours 12

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS:

• A completed application 
• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) from an accredited institution
• A letter of reference from a professional colleague or professor
• A personal statement about why the applicant wants to pursue the certificate
• Interview with an MHSA faculty member

Contact for More Information:

Nichole Evans, MHSA Program Manager

Department of Population Health

University of Kansas Medical Center

5001 Student Center– Mail Stop 3044

Kansas City, KS 66160

913.588.1934; nevans2@kumc.edu